Since January, Deep Ellum has been throwing itself a birthday party. It’s only halfway over, and that’s fitting. Neighborhood leaders trace the area’s birth to 1873, the year tracks from the Houston and Texas Central and the Texas and Pacific railroads met. That makes this year Deep Ellum’s 150th anniversary.
Like most urban pockets where artists continue to thrive, Deep Ellum started as a haven for those with nowhere else to go. After the Civil War, former slaves flocked to the land Deep on Elm Street, beyond the bounds of Dallas’ central business district. The young Freedmen’s Town grew, and by the 1920s, European immigrants had joined the Black men and women who originated it. Grocery stores and pawnshops lined its streets, along with theaters, cafes and bars that spilled out jazz and blues.
But the neighborhood suffered as car culture and the growth of the suburbs siphoned business away over the course of the midcentury. A bigger blow came when Central Expressway’s elevated stretch effectively cut Deep Ellum in half.
Somehow, none of that dimmed the lights completely on Deep Ellum as a refuge — and a hub for Dallas artists and musicians. Today, scores of music venues, dozens of bars and restaurants and well over 100 murals fill its blocks, which run for less than half a square mile.
In recent weeks, we asked staff, readers and the Deep Ellum Foundation why they love the neighborhood. As we heard back, we started counting, in no particular order.
1. It’s walkable. As one of Dallas’ most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, Deep Ellum is one of the few places you can go without an agenda and still know you’ll be entertained. — Sam Bonacci
2. RoboCop. Parts of the hit 1987 action movie were filmed on Deep Ellum’s streets. — Aria Jones
3. Twisted Root Burger Co. The eatery was a radical idea when it opened in 2006 on Elm Street. A burger-and-fries joint created by fancy restaurant alums? Yes. And despite the pandemic punches, you’ll still find a line out the door of the original location. — Christopher Wynn
4. The Studio at the Factory. Like the Factory down the block, this space has been gussied up over the years. But it retains the same layout and spirit of Deep Ellum Live, the district’s most dominant music venue from 1990 to 2004, when it hosted shows by Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Al Green, Buddy Guy and countless others. — Thor Christensen, Special Contributor
5. The Deep Ellum name. Intrigue surrounds the neighborhood’s name, which started as “Deep Elm” or “Deep on Elm.” Residents’ drawl took care of the rest. — Dan Singer
6. Mokah. Who’s at the next table? A City Council member, an artist, a publisher, a developer? Mokah is where Deep Ellum’s power brokers go for their coffee, a quiet spot with good light, strong Wi-Fi and a low-key vibe that makes it ideal for a discreet meeting or to get a bit of work done. The coffee isn’t bad, either. — Mark Lamster
7. Adair’s Saloon. This live music den with burgers and beer is quintessential Deep Ellum: graffitied, gritty, authentic. I grumble every time I play shuffleboard because the table’s crooked, but I also love it. — Sarah Blaskovich
8. Photographique. At the family photo business that the late Paul Black and his wife, Carol, opened in 1982, they still sell Polaroid film. The studio also doubles as a gallery for working photographers. Beloved late News photographer Guy Reynolds took this selfie ahead of his own show there. — C.W.
9. All-ages punk shows. I spent my early teens at shows at The Red Blood Club. The area was kind of desolate then, and now that I think of it, our parents were crazy to drop us off at that place. But I had the privilege of seeing awesome acts there. — Braulio Tellez
10. The Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair. This year, the new event replaced the longtime Deep Ellum Arts Festival, which ended a 28-year run. — D.S.
11. Serious Pizza. And a serious question: Everyone who orders the Seriously Large 30-inch pizza is intoxicated, right? — S. Blaskovich
12. The Sound of Deep Ellum. In 1987, New York-based Island Records gave the Dallas music scene a huge boost by issuing this 10-song vinyl sampler of up-and-comers like the Reverend Horton Heat, the Buck Pets and the New Bohemians. Before long, national talent scouts were booking flights to Big D. — T. Christensen
13. The Traveling Man. As Deep Ellum’s mascot, the stainless-steel robot poses in three individual sculptures that nod to the neighborhood’s art and railway history. — Stephanie Salas-Vega, Special Contributor
14. Lofts, lofts, lofts. The Adam Hat lofts, the Continental Gin lofts, the Main Street lofts. Born of the late 19th century, this industrial typology defines the architectural character of Deep Ellum. High ceilings, flexible spaces and large windows have made them ideal for residential conversion. And they’re beautiful to look at. — M.L.
15. Uncle Uber’s Sammich Shop. We’re happy to feel the burn with Uncle Uber’s spicy fish sandwich on a toasted bun, cooled down just enough by fresh slaw and crisp pickles. — C.W.
16. Deep Vellum. The independent press makes its home on Commerce Street in what’s also a bookstore. Opened in 2015, it quickly became a home for Dallas’ literary community. Cool kids (and adults) are in the book club. — D.S.
17. Nirvana’s 1991 show at Trees. Mayhem broke out at the sold-out concert where Kurt Cobain struck a security guard with his guitar and fans went wild in the wake of the band’s breakout album, Nevermind. Drummer Dave Grohl recounts the night in detail in his book The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music. — S.S.-V.
18. Slutty Vegan. Only in Deep Ellum could you open an eatery called Slutty Vegan with nary a pearl clutched. A plant-based bacon double cheeseburger? Yes, please. (It still soaks up plenty of booze.) — C.W.
19. The Inaugural Juneteenth on Main Block Party. It’s a little old school, but on June 18, see a reunion of Dru Hill, the R&B group known for its emotional ballads, harmonies and a mix of traditional R&B, soul and hip-hop influences. It’s likely someone will request Mark “Sisqó” Andrews’ “Thong Song” from 1999. — Tommy Cummings
20. Adrian Torres’ “Deep Ellumphants.” The mural is both a stampede on the senses and a product of the 42 Murals project in which developer Scott Rohrman gave North Texas artists concrete canvases on his properties across the neighborhood. — C.W.
21. Gypsy Tea Room. Named after a 1930s Deep Ellum juke joint, the sprawling two-stage venue was one of the busiest concert spaces when it opened in 1998. It finally bit the dust in 2021, but you can still see the façade of the original 1910 building at 2548 Elm St. — T. Christensen
22. Phil’s Natural Eats Cafe. Phil Torian once sold imaginative vegetarian and organic fare at his eatery on Elm Street. He was way ahead of his time with the concept, especially with his location down among all the bars and nightclubs, rock historian Kirby Warnock told The News. Torian, a former Deep Ellum Association president, was known to serve a vitamin-charged “Hangover Smoothie.” — T. Cummings
23. That iconic white grain elevator. Just outside the neighborhood’s bounds, the structure was built in 1945 to store the ingredients for Frito-Lay snacks. It was converted in the late 1980s into office space, but with its striking cylindrical forms it remains a local landmark. The rear space is now occupied by the Red Star Bicycle shop, servicing riders on the adjacent Santa Fe Trail. — M.L.
24. Tyler, the Creator’s super-secret show at Trees. The artist performed in celebration of his 2021 album Call Me If You Get Lost. — S.S.-V.
25. Flea Style. Brittany Cobb opened her first Flea Style store on Commerce Street in 2015, and now she has four more. — Maria Halkias
26. Deep Ellum Urban Gardens. First, a reception on Oct. 7 celebrates the garden and the Monarch butterfly migration. On Oct. 8, come back and get your hands dirty by digging and planting. — T. Cummings
27. Cane Rosso. Born in Deep Ellum, it now slings Neapolitan pizza all across North Texas. — D.S.
28. Bottle Rocket. Wes Anderson’s 1996 first feature, starring Dallas’ own Luke and Owen Wilson, is a caper film that takes Deep Ellum’s industrial architecture as its setting and backdrop. All the elements that will come to define the Anderson gestalt (squared-up compositions, quirky characterization, high-key color, bold typography and obsessively overstuffed-composition) are seen here, in incipient form. — M.L.
29. Tina’s Continental. The new 800-square-foot martini bar inside the Continental Gin building offers what it calls Moody Bleus — a martini with blue cheese-washed vodka, dry vermouth and olive brine. — C.W.
30. Sundays at “The Church.” Inside the ‘90s-era Lizard Lounge, this was a religious experience of a different kind. Whether you were goth or glam, this was a thumping, bumping congregation of cool kids where everyone felt equal, at least for one night. — C.W.
31. Terry Black’s. An indulgent spread of smoked meats and sides will fix you. — Claire Ballor
32. Sons of Hermann Hall. A 112-year-old rustic jewel on the Eastern fringe of Deep Ellum, this two-story German social hall boasts the best ballroom in town. Hundreds of musicians have graced its crescent stage, from Wilco to the Chicks to Robert Earl Keen, who recorded a live album here. — T. Christensen
33. Bouncer icons. Critic Devin Pike remembers two of the most legendary door guys working at the same time: John “Beard Brewer,” at Club Dada and Turner Van Blarcum at Trees. “Entirely different styles of enforcing order in their domains, yet absolutely and utterly effective,” Pike said. Beard, a quiet imposing giant, could tell stories about meeting Oliver Stone and Mickey Rourke. In 1991, Van Blarcum clocked Kurt Cobain with a right-hand punch (see reason 17). — T. Cummings
34. Bob Crawford. “Have you seen my movie?” is his usual question, according to Breonny Lee, president of the Deep Ellum Community Association. He might not remember everyone’s name, but everyone knows his. A Deep Ellum regular and a neighborhood superstar, he’s beloved, and everyone watches out for him, Lee says, adding, “If you haven’t helped Bob navigate the streets, you can’t call yourself a Deep Ellumite.” Giving Bob a ride home is a neighborhood rite of passage. He’s always dressed with swagger, sometimes carrying a keyboard he joyfully plays to his own beat. And his dance moves have recently gone viral on TikTok. — T. Cummings
35. Dirk Nowitzki’s mural. 19 feet high. 53 feet wide. All Dirk. — C.W.
36. Club Dada. Opened in 1986, the small indoor/outdoor Elm Street venue was ground zero for Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Ten Hands and other important Dallas bands. Today, it’s a great spot to discover young national acts before they get famous. — T. Christensen
37. King Arthur. Breonny Lee, president of the Deep Ellum Community Association, says she never knew his real name. It might have been Arthur or something else. Either way, he was king of Deep Ellum’s streets in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, a quintessential street performer. “King Arthur is synonymous with my love for Deep Ellum,” Lee says. “You could catch him most nights entertaining crowds with slick dance routines or reciting poetry. I’m not sure when he left or why, but he left an indelible mark.” — T. Cummings
38. Joshua Ray Walker. Deep Ellum is a big part of the country crooner’s game. His video “Sexy After Dark” starts at Sons of Hermann Hall with horses, convertibles, slow-motion dancing and a fire-breathing performer. Last year, Walker was booked on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. But a COVID-19 case within his band forced his appearance to be remote. Before the televised segment and to get his fans warmed up locally, Walker staged a pop-up concert at Double Wide. — T. Cummings
39. Model T Fords. Talk about living history. Long before the Adam Hats Co. building on Canton Street became trendy lofts in the mid-’90s, it was home to Ford Motor Co., which built it in 1914. The first automotive plant in the Southwest, it cranked out 5,000 Model T cars in its first decade. — C.W.
40. Charley Crockett. Deep Ellum is where the rising country star launched his career. — D.S.
41. Thunderbird Station. Escape the heat with cocktails, or bask in good weather on the patio. — C.B.
42. The Deep Ellum tunnel on Good Latimer. Paintings by local artists made it the unofficial gateway to the neighborhood from the early ‘90s to 2006, when crews started demolishing it to make way for the Deep Ellum DART stop. It was built in 1930. — D.S.
43. Shot Topic. A great bar to relive your emo days, it has a white wall where patrons can write lyrics. Every week, it’s painted over for a fresh start. — Zaira Perez
44. Real Street Jams. The store from longtime events organizer Jorge Torres, also known as Qreus, specializes in vintage clothes and thrift-store finds. — S.S.-V.
45. Vanilla Ice. The rapper escaped the mean streets of Carrollton to film his “Ice Ice Baby” video on the rooftop of a Deep Ellum warehouse in 1990. The video got Ice (real name Robbie Van Winkle) in trouble when a muralist filed suit in U.S. District Court, alleging copyright infringement for showing the artwork at Main and Crowdus streets in the background. — T. Cummings
46. Deep Ellum Wine Walk. The themed walks are held monthly. — Elizabeth Myong
47. Central Track. Dallas journalist Pete Freedman’s blog became the website-of-record for Deep Ellum and a clickworthy source in the city’s (mostly corporate) media landscape. — D.S.
48. Erykah Badu’s birthday bash. Every year, the Dallas legend and eccentric “Queen of Soul” celebrates her birthday at The Factory with guest performances that include her famous friends and family. — S.S.-V.
49. The 150th Closing Celebration and Storytelling Summit. Deep Ellum’s official celebration comes to a close sometime in December. The festivities will include the sharing, collection and unveiling of oral stories about the neighborhood. — T. Cummings
50. Deep Ellum’s Mr. Rogers. Breonny Lee, president of the Deep Ellum Community Association, has fond memories of Jim Rogers, who owned the Pearlstone Grain Silo. He built the four-structure silo into a gorgeous residence, Lee says. “He had a special heart for those less fortunate and would lend his labor to help anyone and everyone who needed a hand.” Each spring, he’d open Pearlstone’s gates to friends and neighbors, showing off a hidden garden where he shared the natural bounty of blackberries, cantaloupes, peaches and more. — T. Cummings
51. The owners. Local business owners can frequently be seen hanging around their bars, restaurants and shops. — D.S.
52. The line at Pecan Lodge. It’s wrapped around the block even in the summer heat. — S. Blaskovich
53. Texas titans. Artist Tristan Eaton’s 8,500-square-foot mural on The Stack building salutes true Texas originals, from guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan to blues musician Lead Belly to Texas’ first practicing Black architect William Sidney Pittman to fashion icon Jerry Hall. — C.W.
54. Warstic. The custom baseball bat design company founded by Lake Highlands native Ben Jenkins is co-owned by musician Jack White and former MLB player Ian Kinsler. Deep Ellum is home to its flagship store. — D.S.
55. Mark Cuban’s memories. The billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks reminded us that, “The entire streaming industry started on Elm Street in early 1995,” as Audionet, which became Broadcast.com. Another fun moment: “Our … warehouse party in 1985, when we had to have huge skylights pointing to the clouds because no one knew where Elm Street was!” The warehouse was later transformed into Club Clearview. — T. Cummings
56. Twilite Lounge. In the past year, Danny Balis has gone from Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket to The Freak 97.1 FM. But one thing has stayed a constant: He’s still co-owner of Twilite Lounge. And there’s more to his musical involvement. Balis is part of a songwriting/production team called Silver Skylarks along with Jeff “Skin” Wade. Last year, he also played bass in support of his musician son, Joshua Dylan Balis, at Three Links. — T. Cummings
57. Pawnshop row. The neighborhood once had so many pawnshops that this was a well-known moniker. — Jennifer Brancato
58. Murray Street Coffee Shop. The lofted, two-story space feels unlike any other cafe in Dallas. It sits on a quiet corner of Main Street, both close and far enough away from the rest of the action. — D.S.
59. The neighborhood’s roots as a Freedmen’s Town. Deep Ellum’s original residents were freed slaves seeking refuge after the Civil War. “They really could not find a place in the city that was accepting of them, so they settled deep on Elm Street, way outside of, at the time, what was the central business district,” Micah Bires of the Deep Ellum Foundation told The News in 2021. — D.S.
60. Undermain Theatre and its siblings. In 1984, two avant-garde theater companies with lasting influence on the Dallas performing arts scene started producing experimental plays within blocks of each other. Undermain Theatre, founded by Katherine Owens and Raphael Parry and named for the company’s iconic basement space on the eastern edge of Deep Ellum, is still at it today. Matthew Posey’s Deep Ellum Theater Garage lasted until 1991, when he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a film and TV career. He eventually returned and in 2008 opened Ochre House Theater a few streets over in Exposition Park. — Manuel Mendoza, Special Contributor
61. Small businesses. According to the Deep Ellum Foundation, there are more than 150 independent small businesses in the neighborhood. — D.S.
62. T-Bone Walker. T-Bone’s family moved to Oak Cliff when he was 2. By his early teens, he was leading Blind Lemon Jefferson around Deep Ellum. He began recording in 1929 as “Oak Cliff T-Bone” but didn’t find fame until moving to Los Angeles in 1934. — T. Christensen
63. Rattlesnakes. Every year, according to Stephanie Keller Hudiburg of the Deep Ellum Foundation, Pete Zotos rustles up snakes from his hometown of San Angelo and brings them to St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin for a day of rattler wrangling. — T. Cummings
64. Dallas Comedy Club. The venue picked up where Dallas Comedy House left off in 2020 and offers classes in addition to shows. — D.S.
65. Sweet Endings. In the ‘90s, I remember going to the former dessert place during the day with my mom and then to the 24-hour coffee shop down the street with my friends at night. — J.B.
66. Lead Belly Whiskey. The flagship offering from Deep Ellum Spirits’ winks at the musician of the same name (see reason 76). — D.S.
67. “Cool streets.” In 2019, Deep Ellum landed on a list of “cool streets.” Neighborhoods from coast to coast were stacked up against each other by commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. Some may have cringed at the use of the word “cool,” but you know it helped to raise property values. — M.H.
68. Ottoman Turks’ homage. In 2001, the Old 97′s headlined a “tour of Deep Ellum,” returning home for a two-night stand at Trees and Gypsy Tea Room. Last year, Dallas band Ottoman Turks followed in their footsteps, playing Three Links, AllGood Cafe, Double Wide and Twilite Lounge over four nights. They also re-created the 97′s’ unmistakable tour poster. (It hangs in AllGood Cafe.) — D.S.
69. Lou Diamond Phillips’ appearance. In 2001, Phillips showed up to screen some films and open the Deep Ellum Film Festival for the event’s founder, Michael Cain. Phillips came dressed as Elvis Presley and swayed his hips with his dancers. “It was the night that rocked the Copper Tank [Brewery],” the festival’s James Faust says. — T. Cummings
70. Other celebrity sightings. AllGood Cafe has had some famous clientele over the years, according to owner Mike Snider. The first that comes to mind: Tom Hanks’ son Colin. “He ate at the cafe a bunch and we talked and he was a sweetheart.” — T. Cummings
71. Tatsu Dallas. Small but mighty, it’s the stylish omakase restaurant with no menu and no tipping allowed. We’re more than happy to give up control. — C.W.
72. Sounds of Deep Ellum. In 2022, the nonprofit Deep Ellum 100 picked 10 musical acts for the forthcoming live album that samples what you might hear in the neighborhood. — D.S.
73. Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Co. is moving in. A 22,000-square-foot plant will be its home when completed, likely later this year. — D.S.
74. Emporium Pies. Because sometimes we need a slice. — M.H.
75. Frank Campagna of Kettle Art Gallery. Among the efforts that earned him the title the “godfather of Deep Ellum”: decorating the Deep Ellum tunnel. In 1993, visitors and residents complained about graffiti covering the Good Latimer tunnels. Campagna realized painting a large mural might be too big an ask. When area property owners formed the Deep Ellum Association, it helped spur on Tunnelvisions, a community-sponsored project in which local artists could paint the tunnel. Campagna said permission from the city and TxDOT was slow, “so in classic Deep Ellum tradition, we just went for it.” The result: “a testimonial that street art could be an attraction, and a resounding success for all parties involved,” Campagna said. — T. Cummings
76. Lead Belly. Born Huddie Ledbetter, the blues musician lived in the Dallas area from about 1908 to 1917, according to historians, and he performed in Deep Ellum. His haunting rural blues were driven by furious 12-string acoustic guitar work. — T. Christensen
77. Fred Armisen’s show. The former Saturday Night Live funnyman put on an endearing and quirky “Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome” show at The Factory in Deep Ellum last year. His silly and insightful musical comedy left the audience belly laughing. — E.M.
78. The Factory in Deep Ellum. Built in 1914 as a Ford auto factory, and later used as a WWII ammunition plant, the former Bomb Factory has grown bigger and fancier since its 2015 renovation. But it’s still got a hint of that industrial vibe that made it the perfect spot for rock and rap shows in the ‘90s. — T. Christensen
79. Chef Paula Lambert and The Mozzarella Company. They made Dallas a cheese city with the Deep Ellum Blue and other groundbreaking flavors. — Erin Booke
80. Common Desk. Nick Clark’s coworking space sold to WeWork last year. It started in Deep Ellum in 2012. — D.S.
81. T-Pain’s party. Even T-Pain couldn’t keep himself away. The rapper set off Twitter when he moved his Deep Ellum show to Grand Prairie last May, citing crime concerns. His afterparty? It stayed put at Bottled Blonde. — D.S.
82. The Nolan Ryan-Robin Ventura mural. Muralist Isaac “IZK” Davies touched up the corner of Elm and Crowdus streets in 2017 with a painting of the famous fight between the Rangers pitcher and White Sox third baseman. — D.S.
83. Electric Shuffle. The contact high is all you need at Electric Shuffle, the high-tech shuffle bar where clear thinking comes courtesy of the Hibiscus No-Jito mocktail — hibiscus ginger beer with simple syrup, lime and mint. — C.W.
84. Youthful memories. We had great times after college from 1989 to 1994 meeting new friends and reacquainting with old ones. When our group would get separated at 2826, Club Clearview, Blind Lemon or Deep Ellum Bar throughout the night we would always agree to regroup at the hot dog trolley at 2 a.m. for story sharing and plans on how to get home safe. On some nights, the $6 hot dog at closing time was the best money spent and most remembered. — Brad Cox, Coppell
85. Patagonia. If any national retail chain were going to be allowed into Deep Ellum, it’d be this one, with its edgy anti-consumerist messaging. — M.H.
86. The “I Love You” mural. Why say it when you can show it with a ‘gram. — C.W.
87. Battles of the bands. The Prophet Bar and The Door hosted battle of the bands contests some weekends, and I had lots of good high school friends who would compete. We’d follow it up with cheap pizza at Zini’s (R.I.P.). — B.T.
88. Tigger’s tattoos. Everyone wanted a tattoo from Tigger’s in the 1990s. — J.B.
89. Video Bar. In the mid-’80s, a club called On the Air moved from Lower Greenville to Deep Ellum and changed its name to the Video Bar. It was the era of MTV, but there were underground videos the channel wouldn’t play. At the Video Bar, you could watch and dance to them. The clubs’ founders, including Bart Weiss, who went on to start the Dallas Video Festival, also made their own videos and booked bands like Nine Inch Nails and MC 900 Ft. Jesus. The scene gathered Dallas creatives who went on to careers in the music and film business, including Jeffrey Liles, artistic director of the Kessler Theater, where a reunion of club regulars takes place Friday. — M.M.
90. Snarky Puppy. Last year, neighborhood venue Deep Ellum Art Co. hosted a series of concerts by the jazz rock band, which got its start in Denton. The Grammy-winning band turned its shows into a live album that pays tribute to their North Texas roots. — D.S.
91. Local watch brands. Fossil is based in Richardson, but Jack Mason is based on Canton Street. — M.H.
92. The Pittman Hotel. When it opened in 1916 as the headquarters of the fraternal Knights of Pythias, it was the center of middle-class Black life in Dallas, with shops, offices and a grand ballroom on its top floor. Long derelict, in 2020 it was converted into a hotel named for its pioneering architect, William Sidney Pittman, the son-in-law of Booker T. Washington. — M.L.
93. Robert Johnson, one of the earliest blues pioneers of Deep Ellum. Considered a master of the Delta blues, he made landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 that later motivated the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to call him “the first ever rock star.” In 1937, at 508 Park Ave. in Dallas, Johnson recorded almost half of the 29 songs that make up his entire discography. The property is now owned by First Presbyterian Church of Dallas. — Michael Granberry
94. Not So Fun Wknd. For those who want to skip SXSW in Austin, Dallas-based Parade of Flesh hosts its own series of shows in Deep Ellum with emerging garage, punk and hardcore acts. — S.S.-V.
95. Poetry. On Aug. 24, 1938, The News published these lines from staff poet Nancy Richey Ranson, who later became Texas’ poet laureate: “Always on Deep Ellum Street / There’s the sound of many feet / Passing by, or faltering / Where three golden balls, aswing / Lure the borrower to pawn / Treasures till the last is gone: / Pistol, gun, a watch or clock, / Lacquer box with silver lock, / Shaving mug, a wedding ring, / Curling iron, a water wing. / Old guitar, a violin, / Silver cup, a rhinestone pin. / Down the street a block or two, / Furniture is out on view: / Walnut washstand, maple chair, / Broken mirror, wickerware — / Sometimes things collectors seek, / Changing hands from week to week. / ‘Someone’s loss, another’s gain,’ / Joy walks here, as well as pain. / On Deep Ellum you can find / Things and folk of every kind.” — J.B.
96. Theatre Gallery. Opened in 1985, the venue that jump-started Deep Ellum’s revival served as a breeding ground for post-punk acts like the Flaming Lips and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The music ended years ago, but the old building at 2808 Commerce St. still stands. — T. Christensen
97. Blind Lemon Jefferson. The singer, who lived from 1893 to 1929, was dubbed “the father of the Texas blues.” Blind since birth, he was one of the earliest and most prominent figures in the blues movement that began in Deep Ellum in the early 20th century. — M.G.
98. A landscraper. You’ve heard of skyscrapers. Deep Ellum overlooks a “landscraper.” That would be the recently completed administrative center of health care giant Baylor Scott & White. Just beyond the northeastern end of Deep Ellum, the wedge-shaped building, designed by Ron Stelmarski of Perkins&Will, is just three stories tall but with floors that stretch for 3 acres. — M.L.
99. Jason Isbell’s intimate show. “Jess Barr and myself had just opened our bar, Twilite Lounge,” said co-owner Danny Balis. “Jason Isbell was playing a large festival at an outdoor stage in the area. Jess was close with Jason from Jess’ years as guitarist for Denton roots rock legends Slobberbone, and reached out to him to see if he’d come by the bar after his set. Not only did he stop by, he brought his guitar and did a 75-minute solo acoustic set on our tiny stage for what turned out to be a packed house of patrons quietly seated on the floor, mesmerized that they were seeing such an iconic figure this intimately.” — T. Cummings
100. The Deep Ellum DART station. The Green Line stop was seen as a source of economic opportunity in the late 2000s. — Spencer Bevis
101. Naomi’s Lounge. The weathered wood building at 3001 Canton St. looks like a wind gust could blow it over today. In the ‘90s, however, it stood strong as the best little honky-tonk dive bar in Dallas, where you could catch the Old 97′s or Cowboys & Indians testing out their new songs. — T. Christensen
102. A professional boxing moment. As NBC fight analysts Marv Albert and Sugar Ray Leonard looked on from ringside, something big unfolded at the Factory in 2015. Errol Spence Jr. of DeSoto scored a fifth-round technical knockout against Alejandro Barrera of Mexico. The fight was a nationally televised International Boxing Federation welterweight elimination bout. — T. Cummings
103. Matthew Posey. Posey describes himself as “chief, bottle washer, cook,” but to be precise, he is the founder and artistic director of Ochre House Theater at 825 Exposition Ave., in the shadow of Fair Park. In 2017, Posey returned to the stage five weeks after being shot in the face. Posey was leaving Cold Beer Company in Deep Ellum when he was confronted by a young man with a gun. The bullets knocked out all but six of his teeth. — M.G.
104. A brush with nudity. Jeff Brightwell, co-owner of Dot’s Hop House, recalls a Saturday night when he and a group walked into July Alley on Elm Street. Close to the bar top, something damp brushed past them. They wondered: “Did someone naked just run into us?” Soon after, a sweaty set of meaty, sunburned shoulders disappeared into the back of the building. Brightwell asked the bartender if they just saw someone naked. “Oh yeah,” she replied. “That’s John. He’s a 40-year-old accountant that likes to streak after he’s had a few drinks. He’s harmless.” — T. Cummings
105. Waffle wafts. The smell of waffle cones as you walk by Jeni’s is a delight. Cross the street and the aroma switches to barbecue. — S. Blaskovich
106. Creative vandalism. Back when there were 20,000 rental bikes across Dallas, someone took a Lime bike, sawed it in half and put it on a telephone pole. — M.H.
107. Aurora Lights at Blues Alley. Aurora, the art festival that takes over the streets and buildings of downtown Dallas every other fall, is coming to Blues Alley with an interactive lighting installation on Nov. 24. — T. Cummings
108. The Deep Ellum Film Festival. Started in 1999, it lasted until around 2006, when the Dallas International Film Festival’s parent organization was founded. Robert Duvall was an honored guest in 2004. — S. Bevis
109. The yellow house. It’s been replaced by a 7-Eleven, but before that, the two-story structure on the corner of Commerce and Exposition Avenue stood out for its color scheme. — D.S.
110. Fountain rules. A disclaimer about what not to do in a Deep Ellum fountain is as alarming as it is hilarious. The words “contagious disease,” “diapers” and “diarrhea” are etched into the sidewalk as if it’s no big deal. — S. Blaskovich
111. Noches de Fortuna, the all-Latin-all-night monthly party in the Limbo Room at Ruins. The resident DJs play all the Latin throwback tracks from ‘90s rock en español to early 2000s reggaeton every last Saturday of the month. — S.S.-V.
112. Blind Willie Johnson. The songs he recorded in Dallas rank among the blues’ most powerful, including “Mother’s Children Have a Hard Time” (later done by Eric Clapton), “It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine” (Led Zeppelin) and “Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed” (Bob Dylan). — T. Christensen
113. Sandra Bullock’s speech. In 2000, James Faust was working for the Deep Ellum Film Festival, which was honoring the actress and actor Griffin Dunne at the Gypsy Tea Room. The mission of the film festival was to raise money for those affected by cancer. Faust says he was moved by Bullock’s speech after she received the award. “Sandra’s mom had recently passed away after years of fighting cancer,” Faust says. “It was one of the most impactful speeches I had ever heard.” — T. Cummings
114. The younger crowd. “My mom took me to get a fake ID when I was 14 so I could start going to all the shows in Deep Ellum on my own,” said musician Joshua Ray Walker. “I’ve been sneaking in to see bands since the early 2000s, and I’ve probably seen a thousand shows down there.” — T. Cummings
115. Three Links. The neighborhood bar and venue is where all the punks and freaks hang out. — S.S.-V.
116. Sandbar. The recently closed volleyball hangout brought beach vibes to the neighborhood. Thankfully, the ocean’s never far. Next up is Goodsurf, a bar with a reportedly high-tech wave pool. — D.S.
117. “Deep Ellum Blues.” Nobody’s sure who wrote it. But this comic ditty about our boisterous nightlife district has become its official anthem. Everyone from the Grateful Dead to Jerry Lee Lewis has sung its timeless advice: “If you go down to Deep Ellum, put your money in your shoes.” — T. Christensen
118. The Latino Cultural Center. Technically, it’s just outside Deep Ellum. But Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta’s crayon-colored 2003 building might be the most underrated landmark in Dallas, an assemblage of bold geometric forms that make for an inviting communal space. A 75-foot purple tower marks the generous entry plaza, which is fronted by a shade-giving portico. — M.L.
119. Blues Alley. This eye-popping, azure-colored alley of murals pays tribute to dozens of Texas musicians. If only they’d caption them so we’d know who the obscure figures are. — T. Christensen
120. Historical marker. Depending on when the marker is ready, the Deep Ellum Cultural District will soon be an official location in good standing with the National Register of Historic Places. City, state and federal officials have been invited to the event, which will happen sometime in July. — T. Cummings
121. Foundation 45. Buy a guitar and contribute to this nonprofit’s cause at the Art of the Guitar benefit on Oct. 21. Musicians are donating 45 guitars to support Foundation’s 45 mission, funding counseling services for mental health, addiction and suicide survivors. — T. Cummings
122. The “Riley Forever” mural on the side of The Nines. It’s a tribute to Riley Gale, the late Dallas musician and member of Power Trip whose sudden death in 2020 shocked fans around the world. Gale was the thrash metal band’s 34-year-old vocalist. Graffiti artists Solomon and Samo painted the mural two months after his death. — S.S.-V.
123. The first-date opportunities. Rogers Healy, a Dallas-based real estate personality, took his wife, Abby, on their first date at The Factory when it was known as The Bomb Factory. It was “the perfect background” he says. “Deep Ellum is full of life. The development we have seen over the years has been so fun to watch.” — T. Cummings
124. An inauguration. Fresh off a move from New York City to Dallas, I had my first night out in Deep Ellum. It was the only Dallas neighborhood I had heard of before moving, and I wanted to celebrate New Year’s Eve at whichever dive bar Google suggested. That meant starting at Adair’s Saloon. Just before midnight, I rambled over to Three Links and bobbed my head to a local punk band fronted by a dark-haired Hayley Williams lookalike. Free Champagne came out at midnight. I felt like I’d found a community of strange party-goers not so different than myself. — Kellen Bulger
125. The massive vault door at the back of Studio 201. The salon used to be Dave’s Pawn Shop, according to the Deep Ellum Foundation. — D.S.
126. Double Wide. And its faded curtains. — S. Blaskovich
127. The Deep Ellum Entrepreneurs & Innovators Panel with the Dallas Mavericks. You ask: “Will Mark Cuban be there?” It’s not known, but innovators and entrepreneurs will discuss the district’s role as an incubator and lessons learned from launching national brands in Deep Ellum. It sounds Shark Tank-ish, so maybe Cuban will make it. — T. Cummings
128. The burgers at Angry Dog. — @beaudhane
129. Blade Craft Barber Academy. The trade school boasts that over 43% of graduates go on to open their own businesses. — D.S.
130. Deep Ellum Elotes. Located across from Serious Pizza, this corn-in-a-cup stand is the go-to spot at the end of the night. — S.S.-V.
131. The cocktails at Ruins. The bar and restaurant offers a selection based on agave- and cane-based spirits. — D.S.
132. The atmosphere. The music, the murals and the vibes. — @dvnirae
133. Second annual Noel Nights. It’s a Small Business Saturday event on Nov. 25, the day after Black Friday. The event features the Deck Deep Ellum pink holiday tree-decorating contest and tree-lighting ceremony. — T. Cummings
134. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The dessert spot may have gotten recent buzz for its Ted Lasso-inspired Biscuits with the Boss flavor (not to be outdone by a previous collab with Dolly Parton that gave us Strawberry Pretzel Pie). But we’ll wait in line any day for a scoop, or two, of Gooey Butter Cake. — C.W.
135. Local businesses care about history. Laurel Levin, a descendant of the owner of the former Honest Joe’s Pawn Shop, still owns the building today, according to the Deep Ellum Foundation. It’s now home to Urban Paws. — D.S.
136. Blue Cat Blues. Rock historian Kirby Warnock recalls the since-closed venue as one of the earliest blues clubs in Dallas, right at the edge of Deep Ellum. He remembers seeing Lou Ann Barton perform. She left the club, pulled off her shoes, put them on top of her car and drove off without retrieving them. “They were lying in the road as the tail lights disappeared,” he says. — T. Cummings
137. Black roots. It was created by Black people’s sheer will to exist. — Jerry Hawkins
138. All Comers Homeless Engagement Volunteer Day. Deep Ellum is supporting a day of outreach, education and service to those experiencing homelessness in the neighborhood. The event, which is scheduled for a date to be determined in November, is in partnership with the Deep Ellum Foundation’s homeless casework team and Life in Deep Ellum. — T. Cummings
139. It’s gone through cycles of boom and bust. “Deep Elm Street was dead long before the dark shadow of an elevated freeway fell over its pawnshops, clothing stores, and other bizarre offerings,” The News reported in 1971. “‘It will take two or three years for foot traffic to pick up again,’” “Honest Joe” Goldstein told the paper. “‘Oh,’ he admitted ruefully, ‘you could stand out in the street any morning now, and shoot a 30–30 in any direction and not hit anyone.’” — J.B.
140. Umbrella Gallery. It has exhibited contemporary works by local artists since “before Deep Ellum was cool.” — S.S.-V.
141. AllGood Cafe. Best known for its home-cooking (try the strawberry pancakes), it’s also one of the longest-running music joints in the area, specializing in country, folk, blues and rock. The signed concert posters on the walls alone are worth a trip. — T. Christensen
142. Brad Oldham’s sculptures (see reason 13). — @marcella.raquel
143. Close enough. The Tom Thumb that opened just outside the neighborhood in 2020 calls itself the Deep Ellum Tom Thumb anyway. — M.H.
144. The fifth annual Deep Ellum Open Studios. Get an up-close look at the artistic soul of the neighborhood through behind-the-scenes tours of artists’ studios, a market, a gallery walk and a live mural painting contest. It all happens on Oct. 21. — T. Cummings
145. The Free Man. The Cajun food spot doubles as a destination for jazz and blues. — D.S.
146. The Barrington Gifts building. There’s a handbag factory inside the corporate headquarters of Barrington Gifts on Canton Street. And Malcolm Byers’ mural of the fake Prada store on U.S. Route 90 in Marfa graces the west side of the building. — M.H.
147. Away from the Numbers at Double Wide. DJs Sam Ramirez and Gabe Mendoza turn Double Wide into a British nightclub with goth, darkwave and post-wave tracks. All on vinyl, of course. — S.S.-V.
148. Bright lights. The giant chandelier at Dot’s Hophouse & Cocktail Courtyard. — D.S.
149. Relationships. I met my husband at a bar in Deep Ellum in 2018. We got married in 2020! — @alexann94
150. Back to School: Deep Ellum Style. In August, it’s time to start thinking about equipping the students in your household with back-to-school supplies. Deep Ellum is joining in the distribution fun. Stay tuned. — T. Cummings
CORRECTION, 11:47 a.m., June 20, 2023: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Undermain Theatre co-founder Raphael Parry.
